The Elemis Exotic Riches Spa Treats $56.56 rich purple and Fuschia silk box trimmed with little shiny silvery beads gift is so impressive, you may think that's the gift. The best part is inside --seven travel-sized spa treats!  Dim the lights and light the beautifully-wrapped (raffia and leaf) sake-cup ceramic candles (you get two).  Smooth away dry skin with the natural loofah.  Draw a bath infused with the Skin Nourishing Milk Bath that softens and balances your skin. While you're relaxing, apply the Papaya Enzyme Peel, a facial mask that gently exfoliates and nourishes. Apres bath, moisturize with the effective, sexy and exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt. For an extra touch of scent and softness, smooth on the Island Flower Body Balm. TIP: This spa-in-a-box is a great value that make an impressive gift for anyone who could use a bit of pampering --but doesn't have the time to visit a spa.

Package a pretty nail polish (or two, or three) with the Essie Crystal File $14.00 and you are the one clever enough to gift your nail-obsessed friends a little luxury they will love and use, for years.    remember you gratefully for, and use for years. This is no ordinary nail file, it looks like fine, frosted crystal, but works magically to smooth, shape and buff natural nails to an even finish and prevent them from chipping and peeling. We love the way you can wash or sterilize this over and over again for repeated use (try doing that with a cardboard file)! This is one to get for yourself, too. Your nails will look better than ever.

Shopping for beauty-related gifts for men can be stressful, but we can't think of a single man who wouldn't like the Nivea For Men Premium Face Care Set $14.99. This set is packaged in a briefcase-style, black nylon case with handle that will hold a week's worth of toiletries, but does double-duty as a CD tote, as there are holders inside for up to 40 CD's! Also included are three full sized products from Nivea for Men including Fresh Cooling Gel (with vitamins E and F for moisture); Fresh Cooling After Shave Balm (menthol and vitamins cool, soothe and moisturize skin and help to relieve razor burn); and Revitalizing Lotion Q10 (an man's moisturizer with SPF 15 to help guard against the sun's damaging rays). This is a limited edition and a good value, making the modest price of this impressive gift, even better.

Give a couple a bottle of  Zum Tub $9.50  by Indigo Wild and help them make every bath a "couples" activity. These new, all-natural, sea salt bath crystals are mixed with essential oils to sooth and moisturize every part of your body.  There is nothing better to soak away the day's stresses and stimulate...conversation, than a luxurious, beautifully scented bath with rosemary-mint, geranium (sweet floral), Patchouli (earthy, sexy) or the Holiday-ready Frankincense &   Myrrh (deep, exotic, woodsy).

Lips feeling dry after kissing under the mistletoe all night?  Zum Kiss $3.75 sticks $4.00 tins is not only a quick fix for needy lips but also makes a thoughtful, welcome stocking stuffer for everyone on your list. Shea butter, beeswax, sunflower oil, honey, vitamin E, and pure essential and grapeseed oils are blended together in a simple, swivel-up stick that works fast to return lips to a smooth soft state. We like the tingle of "peppermint," but there is also a tangy lime, yummy tangerine, and a tea tree lavender.

AVON is not only a leader in the beauty world, the company has also been a staunch supporter to find a cure for Breast Cancer. Their beautiful Breast Cancer Crusade Ornament $7.50 is a blown-glass, golden heart, embellished with a pink rhinestone-studded "ribbon" and tiny clear rhinestone accents.  At the top, a sheer pink ribbon and a golden "2004" tag. Display this one on your your tree, or in a window. It's a great way to celebrate a breast cancer survivor, and a poignant way to honor the memory of someone who has passed away from this disease. Better still, proceeds from the sale go to support the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

A bubble bath is the ultimate indulgence, and LUSH knows how to make a bath, memorable!  A cellophane-wrapped green and red slice of bubble bar superbly scented with orange, cinnamon, and clove oils, is aptly called: Christmas Cracker $6.95.  Hollywood $9.95 is a white bubble bar slice into which ruby-red "lips" have been imbedded. The sexy scent is rose absolute/jasmine and sandalwood. Christmas Party $5.95 is a large, round "bath bomb" that scented with gardenia, and infused with stars, glitter and colored confetti that make any bath into an all-out party!  Put any or all of these in your special-someone's stocking Christmas Eve, and have an enchanted holiday!

New to our reviews is Sally Hansen, a much loved line for savvy but budget-minded fashionista.  Reviewers raved about the inexpensive but impressively-packaged gift sets of high-quality (but not high-priced) products. Three great values that work well for grab bags, stocking stuffers, or as "little something include:" Love Your Lips Kit $5.99 nestling a dozen really pretty, very mini (just 2") shimmery lip glosses in pinks, reds, berries, nudes and clear,  long, in a substantial, re-usable clear plastic box. They may be small, but they have aloe, apricot kernel oil and vitamin E to soothe, moisturize and nourish your lips very, very, well!  Something Special for Lips & Nails $4.99 pairs two Hard as Nails nail strengthening polishes with a tube of lip gloss, a nail clipper, and a nice, sapphire nail file, in a re-usable clear plastic display box. This kit comes in two color combos (ours had a gold-glitzed red and sheer, ladylike pink polish with a silver-shimmered clear lip gloss).  Get out the large roll of gift wrap, because you'll need it to cover the huge plastic box (perfect for storing accessories) of the Instant Nail Party $9.99. Nail polish nuts will go wild for this 13-piece set that contains seven shades of polish in wearable shades, a top/base coat, a nail hardener, two sets of toe separators, and a toenail clip and cuticle scissors. All we can say about this $40.00 value for less than ten clams is...wow!

Pinch yourself - no you're not dreaming!  You really do get five great, silky, semi-sheer glosses in a sleek, clear compact with decent lip brush in the hot, new N.Y.C. Inc. Mistletoe Kisses Holiday Lip Gloss Set $2.99 each. At this amazing price you can afford to splurge on the "Gingerbread Treats" (browned berries and nudes) "Snow Globe," (icy pinks, lilac, and silver glitter) and the "Santa Gloss" (reds & pinks) for stocking stuffer and for yourself, too!

We have adored Tony & Tina for years, and never cease to be amazed at how fresh and modern their makeup is.  For the holidays, the Tony & Tina Evolving Beauty Face Palette $38.00 which contains everything you'll need for a total look in one convenient, sleek, holiday-ready, shiny silver compact. You get a deep rose Herbal Powder Blush, a medium-toned Luna Essence Pressed Mineral Powder, and smaller rounds of Herbal Eye Base in Medium, Enchantress Herbal Aroma Lipgloss (clear), two Color Frequency Eye Shadows(deep rusty-brown and ivory) and two multi-purpose Spectrum of Color colors (pink and bronze) for lip and cheeks. The set also includes two lovely, lucite-handled eye and blush applicators. This set is filled with great products that will please every makeup lover on your list! For a more compact, multi-purpose kit, the Spectrum of Color Compact $25.00 contains six creamy shades of pinks and berries for cheeks and lips in a silvery, credit-card-sized compact. TIP: try mixing these with clear lip gloss for instant color and shine.

The Cheek & Eye Compact $20.00 by Laura Geller is a super-thin, credit-card sized compact that lets you touch up your face, anywhere.   We liked the sheer, shimmery rose cream blush and four creamy shadows in shimmery copper and peach, light pink, and mauve, that give holiday complexions a subtle, not garish, glow.  This compact, plus the Lip Compact (see lip section) are all you need to go anywhere and look great.  Either or both make a great gift, or a little splurge for you, too!

For a face-in-a-case-kit that you'll never want to hide,   Glamour To Go, All-in-One Face Color Kit $35.00 by Victorias Secret is the ultimate gift or little splurge for yourself. Lift up the rhinestone-studded clear top featuring crushed silk-like black fabric underneath, and find a generously-sized mosaic blush, and four creamy and mirrored lip glosses in red, pink, berry and nude.  Pull the rhinestone knob on the side, and a slide-out drawer appears holding four neutral eye shadows and a bronze-y highlighter.  This is  in a word: fabulous!

The Little Black Card Cranberry Champagne Shimmer Set $32.00 by Trish McEvoy is the epitome of sophistication, wearability, and practicality. This face-in-a-case kit somehow manages to pack an astounding eight gorgeous items into one sleek, chic, credit card-sized, compact. The top layer holds a festive, shimmery, sheer cranberry lip gloss, two concealers (light and medium), a creamy bone colored eye shadow, and a stunning, deep aubergine for lids or liner. The bottom layer serves up three generous helpings of blush - a deep rose powder, a creamy Champagne Shimmer Powder, and "Malibu Shine." a super-sheer coppery creme to spark cheeks/eyes with subtle shimmer. You'll glow on-the-go without being weighed down by a bulging makeup bag.  The Beauty in Motion Skincare/Planner Travel Set $145.00 is simply a dream-come-true for women who love great makeup and who travel. It's a good value too. Unzip the bottom of the "Trish Pink" leatherette case with carry handle, and find travel-sized skincare: Trish McEvoy Gentle Cleansing Wash,  Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Lotion, Shower Gel, Skin Beta Hydroxy Pads, and Vitamin C Cream. The top unzips to reveal another pink case fitted with a ring binder holding two plastic "mini planners" with face, cheek and eye colors, and three beautiful makeup brushes (blush, liner and shadow).  There's even a tiny, gold mesh makeup bag and a larger, built-in pouch, to hold other essentials or pop into an evening bag. The colors are superb - warm, wearable, subtle, and universally flattering. For eyes: Soft Peach Eye Shadow and deep Praline liner. For Cheeks: Tangerine Glow . A Highlight: Bronze Shimmer Pressed Powder (a warmed rose). The second planner has   Even Skin Illuminizer (pearly sheer), A sheer lip balm with SPF 15, medium and dark Lip Colors: Bridal Rose and Deep Rose Lip Color. These Trish McEvoy sets are the gifts to dream about getting or to give to yourself.

The Aura Science Face Palette $30.00 in nudes is also a take-me-along must-have that makes a great gift for a makeup lover. Inside a super-thin black case are universally flattering matte and shimmer cheek, lip and eye powders to create a perfect party look. You'll get a golden shimmer and rose matte blush, four shades of eye shadow (two matte, two shimmer) and two lip colors in shimmery berry and shiny rose. These make affordable and thoughtful gift for the woman who travels...even if it's just to the gym!, or for anyone who just craves new makeup kits!

Give something better than chocolate!  The Midnight Snack Kit $25.00 by Hard Candy (photo) includes lip-loving goodies that won't let you gain an ounce!  Cleverly packaged in a cardboard 50's fridge, find mini-sized versions of: Chocolate Pie Lip Gloss (a chocolate-brown gloss), Raspberry Lip Sorbet (bright, glossy pink), Rootbeer Float Lip Gloss (looks brown, glides on glossy), and Strawberries & Cream Super Shine Lip Gloss (shimmery deep pink with sweet strawberry flavor). Another food-themed holiday kit from Hard Candy is truly face-in-a-case. the Hard Candy Happy Meal Lunch Box $25.00 is a "makeup meal to go" that will satisfy the cravings of every makeup lover. The blue plastic "lunch box" decorated with Hard Candy heart logo,  is just the size of a pack of playing cards, but it's a great value, filled to the brim with high-quality products. The top layer features six glosses and two mini lip brushes with colors from pearly peach to warm, shimmery red. The second layer reveals an assortment of eight eye shadows in classic colors, two dual-wanded applicators,  a tiny eye pencil, and an equally miniscule mascara, that really work are are just precious! that evokes squeals of "how cute!"  eye pencil. The last layer reveals a large powder blush in a warm rose, two shades of cream-to-powder concealer, and a beautiful rose shimmer for additional "glow."

Sue Devitt's adorable, glossy cardboard foldover  holiday makeup kits $32.00 called "Naughty" & 'Nice"  are the shimmeriest in town! Four generous pans, two of super-shimmery eye shadow and two glittery lip glosses, shine your holiday look to perfection. We love the glossy illustrations of chic women on the front of the blue or red palettes, that make you feel good even before you open them. Play it up "Naughty" with sexy silver and shimmering white eye shadow, glittery magenta and fuchsia on your lips, or play it peachy and subtle with "Nice," a simmering, metallic, golden copper played off by peach highlighter on eyes and glittery bronze and rust for lips. This is party makeup personified, fun to use, of the highest quality, and balanced to make you look stylish and festive, and classy!

The Sonia Kashuk Foldover Kit $24.00 - has a little bit of everything you need for portable beauty.  We loved the white and hot pink cover design (makes it easy to find it in  your handbag) and the foldover mirror/cover that covers six, mini-sized makeup brushes in secure slots, so they stay clean and neat.  The other side of the compact holds generous portions of three lip glosses (light, medium & dark), eye shadows (lid, crease, highlighter) and  two blushes, powder and cream.  There are two color combos, shimmery Spotlight and "Rockin Rosy" that includes shimmery pink-hued glosses  and neutral shadows and blushes with a pink vibe.   This is a great gift for a little splurge, for you! Another example of cute and innovative design is the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Kit. $12.99.  The credit-card sized compact holds ample squares of three lip glosses, a very tiny lip pencil and eye pencil, and a lip brush. what makes it super-special?  There's a credit-card slot to hold your drivers license, credit card, mad money..whatever.. so you don't have to lug a big wallet.  This comes in  three color palettes: pinks, nudes and purples and is inexpensive enough to own all three. This would make an awesome stocking stuffer for a lip loving friend or a new mom who is already lugging enough stuff,  "for two."

We love BeneFit cosmetic's beautiful colors, adorable packaging, and witty product names. For the holidays, there are two limited edition makeup sets in slim,cardboard flip-over compacts (with interior mirror, dual-wanded applicator, and blush brush) you'll want to own and give. For a touch of sun all year long, Hoola Hues $28.00 includes BeneFit's "Hoola" bronzing powder with pearly brown and peach eye shadows, and a berried lip cream.  Decked Out Dandelion $28.00 flatters palefaces perfectly, with a pink powder blush with mauve and pink eye shadows, and a deep rose lip cream.  These two palettes are all you need for day and evening looks (and for great gifts).

The Media Darling Palette $36.00 by Stila (photo) will make you feel like a star, even if you're just going to the store!  A pearly-white, tri-fold mirrored compact is "glammed" for the holidays with Stila logo and host of little stars in silver glitter. Inside there are three lucite-handled makeup brushes for lips, eyeliner, and eye shadow crease. Below a face-in-a-kit set of high quality products (in two color combos:  "Press Shy" & "Press Savvy") give you everything you need to look Stila chic. We tried Press Savvy with four eye shadows (pearly ivory, shimmery brown, shimmery slate, and deep greyed-brown), a very pretty rose matte powder blush, and a browned berry lip color and shimmery copper lip gloss. Stila products are such high quality and so fashionable. A Stila kit is a treat to use every day. 

Who wouldn't be impressed by a substantial, glossy, long, lilac box tied with a silky lilac bow? Imagine how much better this box would be if it were filled with seven colorful scented votive candles representing the seven "chakras" that represent specific aspects of your well being?  Stop dreaming and order Avon's Chakra aromatherapy Candle set $14.99. Christmas-tree light colors correspond to a specific chakra (eg. peach candle with jasmine scent+ chakra sacré (promotes: creativity and physical awareness);  red candle with ginger grapefruit scent=chakra racine (promotes: energy and vitality). This is an inexpensive but impressive gift for everyone on your list (and get a few for yourself to keep your home colorful and harmonious)!

How can you please a girl of any age, even on a budget? Give her Victoria's Secret Musical Glitter Globe ($15.00 with $50.00 purchase). Multi colored glitter swirls around an ultra-feminine pink and black dressing table scene complete with a signature V.C. shopping bag while the ultra-romantic "La Vie En Rose," plays.   We can't think of a woman alive, who wouldn't be touched by this sentimental gift!

We are already huge fans of the chic and beautiful fragrances by Annick Goutal, so we were ecstatic to learn that she has a beautiful set votive candles called Noël $40.00. This is one of our top choices for a gift that is great for everyone. Impressive but still affordable, a gift-packaged set of five, gold-rimmed, clear, glass votive cups are filled with pure white scented candle that is redolent with an intoxicating, vibrant blend of pine (and a bit of citrus). The scent is unique and absolutely irresistible. This scent will please both both men and women and the simple design makes it an appropriate gift for both. Be sure to keep one of these coveted sets for yourself, to cheer you all through the holidays.

Leave the heavy wine bottle behind, and give your holiday hostess a no-need-to-wrap Votive Candle $12.50 by Archipelago. We loved the festive box with ribbons and shiny, holiday ornaments,  containing a large, 60-hour, white, soy wax candle. We adored "Joy" a very festive, very yummy blend of orange, cinnamon and spice. Get the Two Candle Gift Set $14.50 (35 hour burn time each) for anyone you want to thank with an affordable, but impressive, gift.  Archipelago also has a gray and white-boxed 90-hour, soy candle in eight scents in it's AB Home Candle Collection $28.00.  We tried Vanilla, an intoxicating blend of vanilla and apricot (there's also caramel, chocolate, expresso, amber, clove, juniper and lemongrass). We think this is the perfect treat to help you and your loved ones relax and enjoy the holiday season.  Buy several of all..There! your shopping is done!

Zum Glo by Indigo Wild is an aromatherapy candle that brings peace and tranquility to your environment.  We love the Zum Glo Candle $15.00 with it's clear glass votive and well-scented white soy wax candle, and a 30+ hour burn time that has a lead-free wick that doesn't leave a trail of black smoke, and the Mini Zum Glo travel candle $5.50 that comes in a tin so you can safety take it anywhere.  Choose from eight great scents from holiday-happening Frankincense & Myrrh, to the more traditional scents such as Lavender,  and Grapefruit! 

YOUR (not Santa's) LITTLE HELPERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS:  A little thing can make a huge difference in how you look and feel.  We recommend all of these "little wonders" that solve common beauty challenges, and help you look beautiful and feel confident, every day of the year.

No matter what other beauty products you choose for the holidays, a great deodorant is an absolute essential.  During FALL fashion week, the supermodels walking the runway for Vera Wang and Betsey Johnson used Secret Platinum and Olay Conditioners 1.6 oz $2.79, 2.6 oz $3.79 before they dressed! You don't need to be a model to to get the skincare/ deodorant/antiperspirant benefits of a this nifty new product, pairing skin conditioning from one of the product leaders - Olay. Never let them see your sweat and pamper your skin with the soft solid or invisible solid formulas that smooth on fast and really last. Three soft scents won't compete with your perfume: "Velvet Powder" (musk), "Botanical Silk" (floral), and "Tropical Satin" (fruity).

For a luxurious and effective concealer that does double and triple duty as a lightener/brightener and moisturizer (with Vitamin E) try the hot, new, High-precision-retouch $30.00 by Giorgio Armani. This little vial with wand/brush dispenses just the right amount of miraculous concealer, that comes in three shades and diffuses dark circles, spots and blemishes with light, instead of merely covering them up. It's amazing how one little product can make a huge difference in how you look. Reviewers raved that it was well worth the price as it significantly reduced dark shadows, dried quickly, felt weightless, and lasted through an evening's entertainment - PERFECT!

UhOh!  You're late, and you've just broken a nail. Just brush on Fix-A-Nail $2.79 by Nailene and get an immediate, quick fix for nails in distress. This glue dries in literally seconds and even helps to prevent further breakage, so you can get out the door, fast. It's immediate gratification and a great product, too.  

You got home in the wee hours of the morning and you're ready to hit the sack. But wait! What about washing your face? Diane Von Furstenberg's One Step Cleanser $24.00 is a a three-in-one cleanser designed to cleanse the skin, remove makeup and efficiently tone, all-in-one. The cleanser contains ingredients actually designed to be left on the skin for deep penetrating and continuous moisture, so you don't even have to rinse.  Now you have no excuse not to cleanse before bedtime, no matter how late it is. All you have to do is massage over face and eyes, and tissue off to remove excess product. Nothing could be easier!

Rouge Hyperfix $16.50 by Bourjois is one of the best products we have ever used to solve a major lip challenge - keeping lips colored, shiny and also soft, for hours. We don't know how they did it, but the foam applicator magically delivers just the right amount of color exactly where you want it, every time (this is essential for a long-lasting lipstick)! The dual-wanded lipstick has one side sporting a cream lipstick in wearable colors (Eg. nudes, browns, berries, roses and reds) for a sophisticated matte look. Make it instantly "va-va-voom sexy" with the clear, silky,  moisturizing gloss! Apply this product only when you want hours of lasting color, because we tried rubbing, chewing and even kissing it off...and this lipstick stays put until you remove it with cleansing lotion. This is "little wonder" will be available January 15th,  Race to the store (or buy it online) when it arrives.

If you've admired the bronzed look that actresses are wearing down every red carpet these days, you can get the same look easily for your own, special occasions.  Body Bling $48.00 by hunky makeup artist Scott Barnes (whose star-studded client list includes Kate Hudson, Jennifer Anniston, Lil Kim and JLo - who wore Body Bling to the Golden Globes) is an easy to apply body bronzer with shimmery golden highlights that moisturizes your skin and lasts as long as you wish (until you wash it off). We think this is perfect for the holiday season when baring skin, is definitely in!  TIP:  This makes a unique gift, packaged with a book on the South Pacific, tropical drink mixes or anything "Tiki."

Another innovative product is Multi Purpose Dry Oil with Golden Shimmer $34.00 by Nuxe (new to our reviews this column). Top models and sophisticates already know that this little square glass bottle of dry oil absorbs in a flash to gloss skin and hair with an instantly effective mix of nourishing, smoothing, healing oils, Vitamin E and even, sun screen! Use on face body and hair to make it beautiful, soft and leave a subtle shimmer.  A little splurge that will perk up your beauty regime.

If the skin around your eyes feels dry and itchy, and not so youthful anymore, a nifty product that that firms and moisturizes your eye area in one step and continuously works to make it look firm, vibrant, and youthful is Firming Eye Lift $32.00 by MD Skincare.  Pump out a bit of cream and let it help to immediate plump up fine lines,hydrate, and protect against free radicals with vitamins E and C.We liked the fact that this one won't sting or blur eyes,  so it's ideal, even for for contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes. A little bit can make a lot of difference.  TIP: Share this with your special man and help him look his best, too!

You just polished your nails for that big party and realize you have got to use your hands before those puppies, dry.   Now what?  We've got the answer to your woes.A few drops of Essie Quick-e Drying Drops $16.00 work better than anything we've ever seen, to thoroughly dry polish in just a few minutes and keep it smudge and ding-free. We only have this to say:  It really works - if you polish your nails you   need to get this!  Reviewers also raved about Shine-e Polish Refresher $16.00. This fast-drying liquid restores the finish of newly-polished nails faster than compound wax on a sports car. It also prolongs the life of your manicure so you can go out and be the life of the party, instead.  A swipe of the click-up Nail Corrector $12.00 will erase any mistakes you make, especially necessary when using this season's reds and berries. It's tote-able and travel-friendly, and even includes replacement tips. Very cool!

It never fails...you are just about to leave the house and realize you've just sprouted a zit!  No need to panic, though. True Pore Perfection $8.50 by AVON is a spot clearing treatment with 1.0% salicylic acid to help dry up and prevent future adult breakouts and ingredients that also soothe irritated and blemished skin. We love the tote-able rollerball, design, too!

If too many parties and late nights (not to mention stress at work) has got your eyes looking tired, a nifty new product by Clarins called Eye Revive Beauty Flash $42.50 is a potent combination of botanicals, vitamins and corrective pigments that act like an invisible, radiance-boosting patch to brighten your eye area, instantly.  It is also a gentle emergency treatment that reduces under-eye puffiness, dark circles and fine lines and protects the delicate skin around your eye from dryness, while fighting free radicals. For a "lift" for your face day or evening, try Beauty-Flash Balm $39.50.  Apply a thin coat to your skin and follow with your foundation while the product is still damp. This does double-duty as an intensive beauty treatment. Try this before your next event:  Just apply thickly over face and neck, wait 10-15 minutes, remove with water, and complete your makeup. Your skin will look moist, firmer, smooth and brighter.  People will ask: "have you been on vacation?"

New (and very exciting) to this column is Bumble & Bumble. This classy salon and hair care line has been catering to discerning fashionistas and high fashion models since the 70's. Everything Bumble & Bumble is of the highest quality. We loved the no--need-to-wrap, unisex holiday packaging. The boxes feature witty "doodles" of men and women, secured by a substantial, colored elastic band. Inside there is also a little folder with cute, hair-related comments that reminds us of the notes we used to pass in school!  Don't let the graphics fool you - these are chic and serious products that really work well. We especially liked the cheerful yellow gift box: Gently, Richly, Lovely $33.00 featuring great Shampoo and Super Rich Conditioner that make everyone's hair feel super-luxe, shiny and soft. A light blue box: Cool Grooming $20.00 has a tube of precious Grooming Creme that tames tresses with moisture, flexible control and a bit of sheen, too! What a treat for a family member, friend, or of course, just for you!

Diane Von Furstenberg's Cheek Stick $25.00 is a skin pick-me-up in a tube.  Swivel up one of four colors (pink, bronze, red, coral) apply the sheer color high on the cheekbone near the temple , and blend towards the hairline. The Highlight Eclipsestick $25.00 gives your face a dewy finish while it moisturizes. It's a glimmery stick of sunshine. "SUN" (gold) or or "Moon" (silver) shimmer catches the light to revitalize your face-- and your entire outlook!

For sheer choice and versatility, you can't beat Emani Mineral Color Dusts $8.00. These pots of super-shimmery loose powder  can be used for eyes, highlighter, cheeks, and also for  lips (mixed with a clear gloss).These come in a whopping 40 shades. All Emani products have broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection. "Cran-me-In" is a holiday perfect berry that really flatters deep complexions, and mixed with clear or light pink gloss for matching lips. For those with pale complexions, "Champagne" is a shimmery nude that looks amazing on both eyes, lips and wherever else you choose to dust it!  For a glow without too much shimmer, try the Crushed Mineral Cheek Color $12.50 " #915" gives complexions a slightly shimmery, slightly rosy, slightly golden, and highly sexy, glow! 

Bathe your entire face and body in light and a hint of sparkle, with one amazing product"  Sensual Face and Body Shimmer $25.00 by Giorgio Armani. It isn't just another "ho-hum" product.  No way! This cool, non-greasy gel smoothes on bare face and body with a light, natural colored layer of pink and pearly sheen that is so subtle you won't look like you've been "overdone," but the effect (especially on pale complexions) is amazing! Skin looks lighter, brighter with slight shimmer and sparkle. If you like body shimmer this is one to love. On faces, use over foundation, or even better, just smooth some on your bare face for a festive, much better than bare, look.  

Reviewers loved Icing Sugar $18.00 by Juicy Cosmetics because it's so versatile. The shimmery highlighter/blush is a loose powder so sheer that you can dust just a hint of glimmer on your face, or layer more for an all-out   "glam" glow, just when you feel like it. "Hi Beam" is our pick: a rosy-gold that will flatter everyone. Traditionalists can get a less shimmery effect with Blush $12.50 in "Coy Girl," a pressed powder blusher in a sheer, warmed rose, and there are dozens of other colors to choose from, as well.

Maybelline Blush Brush $5.50 comes party-perfect with a festive overlay of silvery snowflakes. "Beaming Berry," a medium plum, reminds us of our disco days, and lets everyone enjoy the hot, new plum trend, inexpensively.

The new Luster Gold Powder $30.00, from Shu Uemura's Chic & Rouge Collection is the epitome of sensual, not gaudy. It comes in a festive red packing decorated with a lacy, maroon design. A generously-sized shaker jar of loose powder with puff gives a subtle, golden glow to your face that looks looks artful, not obvious. There is a hint of glimmer, but it's an adult look: not garish or too bright, just an understated, chic, golden pearl that lets you glow beautifully, wherever you put it. TIP:  This can be used on your body, too, for a bit of shimmer, wherever you want it.

MK Signature Cheek Color Duet $10.00 by Mary Kay are sheer and blendable, so you get not just one, but several different looks. "Santa Fe Sun" pairs a warmed pink with shimmery mauve-brown to give warm complexions a sunny glow.  Deeper and cool complexions will want to try "Plum Dazzle," a solo sheer, very deep plum blush with just a hint of glimmer.

If you love the "dewy" look but don't want to glow light a light bulb, spritz on triple-duty Scott Barnes Radiant Face Mist $25.00. This clear liquid is a pre-moisturizer, it helps to set your foundation, and adds just a hint of "dew" to your bare skin, too!

The Be Prepared Pink Powder Puff  $12.00 by Trish McEvoy is an amazingly inexpensive way to support a good cause (net proceeds go to the Girl Scouts) and give something festive and feminine to females of every age on your list. Inside an adorable pink and white cardboard "hatbox" is a light pink puff with hot pink button center that is infused with glimmer powder.  Press the puff to your skin. Surprise! A dusting of silvery shimmer falls exactly where you want it! This is one of our picks for a truly easy, affordable, and unique gift!

Bobbi Brown's Eye Kohl Palette  $37.00 is new and exciting! There are four smoldering, shimmery colors of deepest brown, blue, purple and black, accompanied by a superb Bobbi Brown dual-ended bush for liner and shadow.  These Kohl colors aren't just intense, they also have a hint of shimmer so they're party-perfect.  We loved these colors - soft, blendable, fun to use, and they really give intense drama to holiday eyes.   TIP: these aren't specifically advertised as wet/dry shadow but we used a moist, fine-line brush to make a very pretty, long lasting line anyway.

Clinique sleek, silvery compacts with generous inside mirrors are so festive that you don't even have to wrap them! Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow $13.50 goes on like silk, last like iron, and give your lids a glam sheen that's perfect for the holidays. The perfect, modern, party look is super shimmer Crystal Berry, a bright grape flecked with gold that when wet, works to line lids, too.  Ditto "Copper Penny," a soft coppery pearl that looks luxe day or evening. There is also a Color Surge Eye Shadow Duo $17.50 that help even the clueless to find just the right colors to color and line lids.  "Buttered Bronze" is our top pick - a slightly iridescent brown liner/shadow paired with a larger oblong of soft, buttery yellow. Clinique Touch Base For Eyes $13.50 in three limited edition,subtle, icy shades cleverly shimmer with pearly color:  "Icy Blue,  "Icy Violet," and "Icy Taupe" apply with a fingertip like silk, blend like a dream, then stay put for hours. TIP:  Use these as-is, or as a base under another shadow to produce different looks and make that shadow long-lasting, too

There's nothing more glam than a metallic eye shadow, and one of the newest version is holiday-perfect -- Metallic Crème Eye Colours $21.00 from Laura Mercier.  The silvery, tote-able,  tubes have a band of color on the outside, so you'll always know which color is on the inside.  Chamomile and vitamin E are good for your lids, and long-lasting color means you won't have to apply again when the party's in full swing.  You'll get bright but wearable metallic sheen in five pretty, shades. Our favorites are "Burnished Copper", "Platinum," which actually looks like metallized champagne, and "Titanium," a pewter-deep lavender, mix. There is also 'Gold," and "Rose Gold." If you're looking for a pretty holiday lid look, these are pretty perfect!

Whether you're rushing from work to an evening event, or just need a bit of a pick-me-up, a tiny touch of glitter on your eyelids (or anywhere else) says "I'm ready to party."  Try a tiny bit of  FACE Stockholm's   holographic loose glitter $16.00  in "Tio Galaxy" or smooth a Highlighter $19.00 such as super-pearly white "Mystic," on your lids (does double-duty as a primer, too) for a bit of glam that doesn't scream "club kid!"  For an more subtle glimmer, try Eyedust $18.00  in "Presence." This loose, shiny powder is a warm pewter that looks pretty on lids and also applied with a wet liner brush as an accent. You can also get a bit of silvery shine with a "Silvia"  Eye Pencil $13.00 which gives a soft, silvery sheen.

We love metallics for the holidays, and one of the prettiest versions for eyes this season is from Mary Kay, back in our review this column!  The MK Signature Eyesicles Eye Color $12.00 in Island Bronze  is a metallic,  creme-to-powder color that smoothes on easily, dries quickly, and leaves a   pretty, stay-put, waterproof finish that really lasts. Use light "Pink Frost" as a pretty compliment, or as a shadow on it's own.

The Anna Sui Eye Color Collection $35.00 is a tribute to glamour. Reviewers loved the oval. shiny black patent zippered makeup case with intricate, subtle, Anna Sui logo design. Inside are five pans of eye shadow with a hint of shimmer in soft-as-a-feather ivory, pink, brown, mauve and lilac. These pastels are softened, not the bright pastels of Spring and Summer. They go especially with with luxe fabrics such as velvet and cashmere. Once you're done with the shadows, the makeup bag is the one you'll use for years!

Estee Lauder made it's debut in our HOLIDAY 2003 column.  The look this year is "Vintage," based on 1960's classics.  We were fortunate to get a few pieces of this dramatic collection. Estee Lauder Pure Color Cool Eye Mousse $20.00 goes on like a silky-smooth dream,  and feels just a bit tingly. These fast-drying creams enhance eyes with shimmery, two just-for-the-holidays limited edition colors:   "Cool Twilight" is a subdued lilac and "Cool Champagne, an amazing (and pretty) super-pearly beige. To add drama, line your lids with Estee Lauder Pure Color Liquid Liner $22.50 in deep, sexy "Plum Cassis" or traditional, "Pure Black." These liners comes in clear glass cubes with tall gold handles that look really pretty on your dressing table, and are easy to use, too.

In our SUMMER, 2004 column we reviewed all natural, mineral makeup from Emani for the first time.  For the holidays, we suggest the Duo Eye Shadow $11.00 for the nice price, and the nine, unique color combos. We tried "#708 Volvo Vixen" that pairs a deep copper for lid, liner or crease, with a subtle gold.

Giorgio Armani Eye Shadows for the Holidays arrive individually as four individual, precious gems. Open the chic, black matte compacts (with the new, black on black embossed GA logo).  Underneath the metallic overlay (with the same logo) you will find rich shadows (they blend, so you can control the intensity of color) that light up your days and nights with eye-catching allure.  "49" is a deep, anthracite grey that makes a great liner as well as a smoky lid shadow. Underneath the copper overlay of #50 is a burnt-red shadow that we like best as an accent and liner, but works as a bold shadow. #51" is a gorgeous, deep   (but soft) moss green that looks beautiful on lids, and #52" is an amazing, dark, luminescent navy for liner or lids.  Get one for yourself or splurge on the set. For a super-luxurious gift, go all out and get the the additional, black lacquered wood  box $75.00 (comes with eye shadow brush) in which to nestle all four shadows. 

In our FALL 2004 column we raved about the way all Bourjois mascaras are now topped with a hollow, metal, ring so you can add one of five new mini mascara enhancers $7.50.  For the holidays, Bourjois puts a kit together that will give a glow to eye-makeup obsessed women, everywhere. Accessor-Eyes $20.00 pairs a definite pump-up-the-volume mascara in sexy black, with a Eyelash Day Cream conditioning base coat enhancer,  and Blue Duochrone Effect topcoat in iridescent, bright blue, to pop in the top of your mascara for touch ups whenever you please.

Have you ever wondered why your glitter doesn't stick, but stars like Christina Aguilera manage to keep sparkles  where they want them?  It could be that their makeup artists are using a special, secret sealer, like the Magic Sealer $9.00 from Emani. Theirs is sucrose based and safe to use around the eye area. The rollerball applies it to your lids as a clear base.  Use it to hold Emani Sparkle Powder $8.00 in place.And the sparkles (in nine colors) are made out of finely-milled plastic. A classic is "#815 Fever" a glitzy gold.  "#811 Ruby Ruby" is a stunning red which we particularly liked mixed with a clear or very sheer lip gloss.

There's nothing nicer than a gift (or a little splurge for yourself) from NARS Cosmetics. Indulge in a Single Powder Eye Shadow $18.00 that not offers sheer, build-able color so you can get many looks from one item, but can also be used wet, as a liner.  From the holiday collection we tried   "Faith," a warm peach that made blue eyes "pop," and brown eyes stand out from the crowd. For a "glam" finish, try NARS Liquid Eyeliner $28.00 in hot, new "Showgirl" a glitzy gold that goes on smoothly to leave glimmer on upper and lower lash line, or try any one of a dozen other sophisticated colors, including basic black.  TIP: Glimmer or pearl shadows compete with gold or metallic liners.  For a luxe look, just use a light,matte shadow.

FACE Stockholm's Lipstick $18.00 is so holiday ready in it's sleek, shiny, silvery case with chic, black FACE logo on the inside tube and it's holly-berry red color.  "Express," a  bright, true red creates evening drama for pale complexions, but flatters medium to dark ones as a daytime look. Keep deeper lipsticks in their place with a Lip Liner $13.00. "Inger" works well with "Express."

Ruby lips to match your fingertips...so the old song goes. Rimmel gives you four, high-shine, glitzy options for lips with Vinyl Stars Lipgloss $6.00.  You'll feel festive for not a lot of cash if you choose   'Liquid Asset," a glittery pink, "Hot Spark, a bright fuchsia, Golden "Glam Rock" or (our favorite) sheer with glitter, ruby-pink "Hot Rock"

Giorgio Armani Lip Shimmer $21.00 continues to be one of the prettiest of it's kind on the market.  The super-shiny, nearly opaque "stain" is packed with color and shimmer to make the holidays (and your lips), merry and bright.  We don't know what does it, really, but we have to say honestly that when you wear these, your lips just look fuller, shinier, juicer, sexier.   Deeper complexions (and paleface for evening) will love #14" a sophisticated blend of brown with a hint of berry. "#15" is a pearly, glitzy gold.

If you want to get new lip looks for the holidays, you will be super-festive if you indulge in four limited edition colors based on the Estee Lauder evening collections of the 1960s. Pure Color Lipstick $22.00 in "Vintage Rubies" (shimmery currant) and "Vintage Sherry" (shimmery berry) look very dark but are actually pleasingly wearable semi-sheer stains that work day or evening. Add instant additional glamour with a layer of Pure Color Crystal Lipstick $22.00 in "Vintage Frost," a simply stunning, sheer, gold shimmer or "Vintage Blush," an equally pretty beige shimmer.  Both of these stand beautifully on their on as light-catching glosses, too.

For the ultimate girly-girl gift, you can't lose with the the Victorias Secret Purse Your Lips Color Kits $29.00. An absolutely adorable, faux-croc plastic "purse" compact,  complete with inside mirror, chain handle and gold "studs," reveals eight truly gorgeous shimmer and shine lip colors and a lip brush, in two universally-pleasing color palettes: Gold Purse/Bling Browns Palette or Pink Purse/Party Plums Palette. Trust us, any one of these will bring smiles and make the holidays "merry and bright" for you, too. 

Victoria's Secret is known for fashion with sex appeal. For the holidays, they've created some of the sexiest lip gifts on the planet (at amazingly affordable prices). One of the best is Swivel Your Lips Glosses To Go $32.00 -- rhinestone cowboy meets serious bling bling in a combo key chain, lipgloss. A mirror-shiny, square compact dotted with a clear, red and pink bejeweled star, has a long, luxe, lanyard "fringe" of white leatherette.on one end, and a rhinestone studded key chain/hook on the other. Swivel the square open, and find a shiny, lip gloss duo in berry and clear.  You'll never lose your keys or your lip gloss, again...and you'll never get tired to showing off this amazing gloss compact, either!  Another eye-popping, envy-inducing gift is the Bejeweled Beauties Lip Gloss/Fragrance Rollerballs in $19.50 (Basic Instinct $22.50.) Double-ended wands are joined in the center with seven rows of crystals. There's a purse-sized rollerball of fragrance on one side and on the other, a shimmery lip gloss.  'PINK" is ultra-festive, coupling a light, citrussy fragrance and a clear raspberry gloss with parti-colored glitter with a mid-section of eye-catching, hot pink crystals. "Basic Instinct™" features a light musk that's very sexy, and a shimmery pink gloss infused with bits of silvery shimmer, banded by lavender crystals.All are affordable. If you love lip products, these are absolutely "it" gifts to give, and to get!

Benefit The Glosses Gift Set $24.00 is the update version of their "the glosses" holiday lip treats to wow everyone on your gift list or to indulge yourself. A shiny,  no-need-to-wrap silvery cardboard sleeve holds four small (not tiny-just big enough to put in a makeup bag) lip glosses in really beautiful, wearable colors: pink & rose (non-shimmer) and glimmery champagne and berry gloss. These enhance your lips with just enough color and shine, leaving a hint of yummy lychee apricot scent. What's more festive than that?

Cinnamon Buns, Cherry Pie, Bananas Foster, Caramel Brownie, Créme Brulee, Tiramisu, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Peach Cobbler...mmm!   Get all the yummy feel of these sinful desserts, without any calories at all with the new Holiday Lip Shine Collection $6.50 each by Apt. 5. Eight sheer, shimmery and super-shiny and really pretty shades pack color and unbelievable scent into a wanded gloss. It's hard to choose a favorite - they are all so tempting.  Ok..ok!   If our arms are twisted, we'd suggest "Cherry Pie" not just because of it's blue-based red semi-stain which is perfect for palefaces for evening (and for deeper complexions, at any time), but also for the strong, cherry scent, that makes your lips ultra-kissable.

Reviewers raved about the new Lip Gloss Palette $25.00 by Bobbi Brown. Three large pans of colors are featured in a set of browned berries or warmed nudes.  We tried the deeper set and loved the way the three browned berries worked with everyone's skin. We particularly liked "Fudge," a dark, shiny raisin that goes with the new, darkest browns for eyes and nails but has Bobbi Brown's signature subtle touch so you look dramatic, not "Dracula." This would be a wonderful gift for a lip-color loving friend, or for yourself to dress up everything in your wardrobe for the Holidays. 

Laura Mercier Riche Colour Lip Glaces $19.00 are new, high-shine, long-wearing, moisturizing glosses that glam up your lips without going overboard. Four shimmery shades of pink, bronze, peach have just enough color to stand on their own if you're not into layering.  All four colors feel wonderfully luxe and silky on lips, and will give them light-reflecting glam. However, for universally flattering picks, we like "Bronze Glitz"  and "Peach Chiffon."  "Rose Satin"  and "Pink Diamond" are a bit lighter, but no less lovely. TIP:  For a glimmery pout-place a dab of these glosses on the middle of your bottom lip only... very sexy!

Tuck ten, seasonal lip colors into a slim, black compact with large mirror and lip brush, and you've got the perfect stocking stuffer for lipstick loving friends!  One of our favorites this season is The Lip Favorites $20.00 from aura science color kits. Reds, browns, berries, mauves and nudes are charted on the back for easy reference. We also like aura science set of four shine lip lacquers $20.00 in mini sizes with bright coppery tops, packaged in a cheery, metallic striped clear and cardboard box.  There are two glosses and two glosses with shimmer. The  earthtoned nude, pink, raisin and beige will flatter everyone. The glosses are silky, shiny, sexy and festive.  You'll want to get a set for yourself as well as for your friends.

We love good things in small packages, so we loved the Laura Geller Lip Compact $20.00 which has eight outrageously pretty lip colors in every wearable color you'd want to have in tones of pink, red, plum, apricot, nudes, and berries, housed in an ultra-thin, credit-card sized compact with inside mirror. This is a lip-lovers delight!

Juicy Cosmetics Lip Gloss $14.00 has jojoba oil to make lips feel great and stay soft, shiny and pretty all year long. There are 16 shades, but our choice for this season is "Sonic," a beautiful, super-sheer, shimmery rose/brown/copper that looks natural enough to wear "bare," for casual activities just to have a "little glimmer on your lips, or slick it over a Lipstick $12.50. "Karma" for an example --a party-pretty, pastel pink pearl--for additional shine and savoir-faire!

Three Custom Color Specialists Holiday on Ice Collection $45.00 gives you three ways to give a great gift, or gloss your own lips, in stack-able, swing-out pots.  "Poinsettia "is a berry-red, high-shine gloss with hints of gold and burgundy sparkle.  "Brown Betty" is a sheer, glossy caramel shimmer with gold flecks that looks amazing on bare lips, and over other colors.   "Confetti Punch" is a sparkly sheer white that makes lips look full and sexy and adds multi-dimensional shimmer as a top coat to other lip products. The glosses are long lasting and make lips feel moist and pampered, You can get these as individual shades $18.50, but it will be hard to choose just one! 

One quick way to make your holiday attire special is the Victorias Secret Garden All That Shimmers Body Powder/Brush $18.00. A quick press of the button on the handle of this all-in-one powder brush will release a soft cloud of shimmery, scented powder from the clear, glitter-sparked lucite handle.   We tried "Love Spell" with a hint of must, but there's also Pear Glacé, Amber Romance, or Strawberries and Champagne. For even more elegance (and a luxe gift idea) the All That Shimmers Body Powder & Brush $27.50 is a chubby, clear, faceted lucite base containing sparkling, scented powder in nine signature Victoria's Secret scents, circled by a bejeweled collar holding a huge powder brush. A twist of the handle dispenses the shimmery powder. This would be a stunning addition to any dressing table!  

Two traditional holiday treats are peppermints and gingersnaps. Now, Urban Decay takes shimmery powder into a much-better-than-candy realm with Flavored Body Powder $25.00 that is not only packaged beautifully, but fun to use and to sniff!  Reviewers loved the way each shimmery powder is applied with a   leopard-patterned puff .  "Gingersnap" arrives in an eye-catching, hexagonal, bronze-y cardboard container with satin tassel, in a clear, plastic presentation case. This sinfully-scented spicy powder dusts your body in subtle beige shimmer.  Another can't miss with girls from nine to ninety is the round, glossy, white cardboard "hatbox" with pink tassel holding a super soft pink and silvery shimmer with a hint of mint scent. Buy one to make your dressing table festive, another for someone really special!

Essie Smoothies $6.00 2oz, $15.00 8 oz are hand & body lotions packaged to look like a pump-bottle version of the popular drink. Six yummy-smelling combos: (lemon & guava, cranberry & tangerine, coconut & pineapple, blueberry & banana, kiwi & line, and Pomegranate & mango) are packed with natural emollients and alpha hydroxy acids to keep your skin looking smooth and soft now and especially throughout the dry, winter months. The lotion absorbs in a flash and is, actually, a "drink" of moisture for your skin. The lotion is really superior. Whether you choose the stocking-stuffer size or the larger one, there's a scent  to please every man, woman and child on your list.

Get a touch of glam and gold glitter instantly and moisturize your skin, at the same time, with the Glitterbug $5.95 by LUSH.  The "bug-like" (we think it's more egg-shaped) oval is a blend of cocoa and shea butter, so it has serious moisturizing benefits as well as delivering a touch (to a ton) of shiny, gold glitter, depending upon how much you apply.) The Neroli/rose/vanilla scent will be your signature scent TIP: LUSH Glam Rock Hair Glitter (see "Hair" category) has the same, co-ordinating scent."

The Mimosa, Jasmine & Violet Sugar Body Scrub $22.00 by Lucky Chic is one of their most popular products, and it's easy to see why.The generously sized (13 Oz) jar of lightly-scented, pink scrub is infused with vitamin E and aloe vera and looks "girly," but it is a heavy-duty exfoliator that really packs a wallop to soften skin. Used regularly, your skin will be soft and glowing.

For an extra-special treat, add a bar of Noriko $6.95 for 3.05 oz by LUSH in your shower or powder room.  This creamy bar soap, mixed with oriental-themed ingredients such as organic tofu, sake, and Japanese rice wine, generously scented with ylang ylang and lavender and studded with actual kernels of rice (for a stimulating massage), also has imbedded dots of yellow, pink and green soap that make it look like a work of abstract art.

Men's skincare is becoming a booming business. Clarins has developed a complete skin care line developed just for men. Pop a tube of Clarins Men Active Hand Care $16.00 in his stocking this year. It's the perfect way to introduce any man to softer, more comfortable skin this season (men tend to have skin that is dry or drier than that of a woman.  This lightweight gel absorbs quickly, and is tote-able in gym bag, briefcase, or car.